Emma Thompson shares how one of Alan Rickman’s standout performances led to significant challenges in his career.

Some of the standout moments in Alan Rickman’s career came when he was stirring up trouble for the protagonists, but as Emma Thompson revealed, he wasn’t always keen on playing the bad guy. In a chat with an outlet, Thompson reminisced about working alongside her late friend, who portrayed Colonel Brandon in the 1995 adaptation of Sense and Sensibility, and how excited he was to take on a more heroic role for a change.

“Alan Rickman, God rest him, he was so happy to be playing someone heroic and nice,” she shared. “Because he was so fed up with people wanting him to be the Sheriff of Nottingham.”

Rickman’s performances as iconic villains like Hans Gruber in Die Hard and Severus Snape in the Harry Potter series are legendary, but his role as the villain in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves in 1991 was particularly memorable. With his infamous line about cutting out Kevin Costner’s heart with a spoon, he earned a BAFTA nomination for that performance.

Fortunately, while fans loved seeing Rickman embrace his villainous side, he also shone in roles that showcased his heroic qualities. In addition to his portrayal of Colonel Brandon, he captivated audiences as the devoted boyfriend in Truly, Madly, Deeply, the angel Metatron in Kevin Smith’s Dogma, and the brave Dr. Lazarus in Galaxy Quest.

Ultimately, whether he was playing a hero or a villain, Alan Rickman consistently delivered unforgettable performances that left a lasting impact.